LOVE SONG

Final Touch (Good News GNR-08101) 1974

Round two for these pioneers picks up John Mehler on drums, with Al Perkins donating slide talent on the side. Faced with the difﬁcult task of living up to their impressive debut, the shaggy musical crusaders follow the same formula adequately but with slightly less memorable results. ‘Since I Opened Up The Door’ and ‘Book Of Life’ (“I keep my thumb between the pages and my heart in the Book”) are chock full of country twang, while ‘The Cossack Song’ even attempts hard rock. Love Song had its rock moments but Final Touch seems to step out a bit more. At the same time a couple of the ballads get string arrangements – better results were accomplished on the debut with just the band’s instruments and atmospheric vocals. ‘Living Water’ on the other hand is a beautiful acoustic piece with ﬂute/oboe accompaniment that is perhaps the best thing they ever recorded. Starting to sound a bit like Girard’s solo lps (all of which are worth acquiring). (The Archivist, 4th Edition by Ken Scott).

I have not acquired this album yet. Thank you George for the front and rear cover photos.